Two-in-five Aussies fear becoming homeless

One-in-three Australians know somebody who has experienced homelessness, according to new polling which suggests the issue is reaching a crisis point.

The Essential survey of 1022 respondents conducted last month shows more than two-in-five people fear they could become homeless if their circumstances change.

Almost 80 per cent of people believe homelessness is a growing problem, and three quarters want to see more social housing.

"It's now no longer a niche issue, it's an issue that an overwhelming number of voters expect their politicians to act on," said Kate Colvin from Everbody's Home, a national housing campaign which commissioned the report.

Everybody's Home wants the federal government to drive the development of 500,000 new social and affordable rental homes in a bid to end homelessness by 2030.